Search found 101 matches

by John Williams
January 19th, 2016, 4:34 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Portland Area Thamnophis
Replies: 3
Views: 2190

Re: Portland Area Thamnophis

Thanks for the input! Darian- Good to hear, and sounds like the places will be win/win whether I find snakes or not. Plant identification is a somewhat large part of my job so hopefully I'll be alright on the Toxicodendron. Steve- Good news, thanks. Hopefully the weather is on my side. Probably won'...
by John Williams
January 19th, 2016, 11:53 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Portland Area Thamnophis
Replies: 3
Views: 2190

Portland Area Thamnophis

Hello all. I had a few questions regarding Thamnophis in the greater Portland area and am seeking advice. In July I’ll be taking a vacation to Portland with my wife and plan to spend at least a full day hiking. I won’t be doing too much off trail hiking as my wife is not much of an off trail hiker. ...
by John Williams
January 19th, 2016, 7:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Color and Pattern Variations in Eastern Garter Snakes
Replies: 43
Views: 24638

Re: Color and Pattern Variations in Eastern Garter Snakes

A few coastal Texas animals

Image

Image
by John Williams
October 13th, 2015, 6:38 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Queensland over Xmas...yes, 9 months late - Frogs (w/audio)
Replies: 11
Views: 5532

Re: Queensland over Xmas...yes, 9 months late - Frogs (w/aud

Great post. You really have the frog recording down and it is much appreciated. Thanks.
by John Williams
October 2nd, 2015, 6:45 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Slidell- Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge RFI
Replies: 1
Views: 2103

Re: Slidell- Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge RFI

Bayou Sauvage probably has most of your typical coastal species and there are supposedly rattlesnakes in the portions that still have trees, if any do post Hurricane Ike. If I were staying in Slidell I would herp Big Branch or Pearl River, as that gives you more of a chance at eastern US species tha...
by John Williams
March 13th, 2015, 6:33 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Your most significant find in 2015
Replies: 51
Views: 20507

Re: Your most significant find in 2015

Great audio Chris! I was out that same night trying to locate them south of the hot spot to no avail. Glad to see you got that one/some.
by John Williams
January 10th, 2015, 6:57 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Always check those roadkills!
Replies: 18
Views: 6968

Re: Always check those roadkills!

Certainly haven't figured out Deirochelys in Texas but I'd love to learn more, especially in Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties near me. I'll have to respectfully disagree with your assessment that sirtalis are gone from SE Texas. True, they are probably gone from historic locales in the greater Housto...
by John Williams
January 10th, 2015, 6:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Costa Rica - August 2014 - Aguas Zarcas - Amphibians
Replies: 8
Views: 3560

Re: Costa Rica - August 2014 - Aguas Zarcas - Amphibians

Fantastic post Chris. Love the calls.
by John Williams
January 3rd, 2015, 12:53 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Always check those roadkills!
Replies: 18
Views: 6968

Re: Always check those roadkills!

Challenge accepted.
by John Williams
December 13th, 2014, 6:37 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Exploring Texas 2014: An East Texan forges new Trails (EOY)
Replies: 27
Views: 13453

Re: Exploring Texas 2014: An East Texan forges new Trails (E

Well done Kyle. Certainly gets a Texas herper excited for spring.
by John Williams
December 7th, 2014, 6:56 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Always check those roadkills!
Replies: 18
Views: 6968

Re: Always check those roadkills!

Hey Jeff-

Can you expand on the connection statement? Do you think they got to the Texas Coast/Columbia bottomland from the north like Liochlorophis/Spermophilus? From the East via T. sirtalis sirtalis?
i'm a big Thamnophis fan and the Texas sirtalis take up a lot of my time/interest!

Thanks.
by John Williams
December 4th, 2014, 7:30 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Always check those roadkills!
Replies: 18
Views: 6968

Re: Always check those roadkills!

Apparently they did/do not make it across Galveston Bay. I suspect they might be present somewhere like Beach City or the west end of Bolivar, but that general area has been pretty well collected. There seems to be a change in soils (sands to clay) once you get west of Galveston Bay, and they dunes ...
by John Williams
September 30th, 2014, 7:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Houston area & westwards, October 4-18
Replies: 13
Views: 4169

Re: Houston area & westwards, October 4-18

There are some preserves right near your sister's house along Spring Creek that could have some interesting herps. They should have more wetlands and bottomland habitats so you could different species than the mostly upland species you'd find at Jones. You'll be in a good area for buttermilks. Try w...
by John Williams
September 26th, 2014, 6:42 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Attention Houston area herpers
Replies: 1
Views: 1374

Re: Attention Houston area herpers

Good to hear and look forward to any results you produce. It might be worthwhile to place a complete park list on this thread so we know what's what.
by John Williams
August 13th, 2014, 6:03 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Summer Herping in the RGV – Part 2: The Sabal Palm Sanctuary
Replies: 4
Views: 5761

Re: Summer Herping in the RGV – Part 2: The Sabal Palm Sanct

Nice post, but I think you included far too much locality info on a public forum for several state-threatened species.
by John Williams
July 31st, 2014, 7:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A little S. TX Bull
Replies: 9
Views: 3499

Re: A little S. TX Bull

Gorgeous snake and perfect photo.
by John Williams
July 23rd, 2014, 7:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: RFI - Houston & more, October
Replies: 5
Views: 2890

Re: RFI - Houston & more, October

I would recommend the stops on that drive because in addition to herps your are crossing several different ecotones of Texas in that short distance. Each is neat it it's own way. October mornings may be chilly depending on whether or not we've received a cold front that week. I'd say between 75-90 d...
by John Williams
July 22nd, 2014, 7:24 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: RFI - Houston & more, October
Replies: 5
Views: 2890

Re: RFI - Houston & more, October

Kristian, October should be a decent time to be here and I would expect to see some snakes if I were you. The Woodlands will be a good home base for a road cruise or two in Montgomery County, probably in the Sam Houston NF. Copperheads are abundant in the NF and if you cruise on a warm evening you s...
by John Williams
July 12th, 2014, 10:57 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Color and Pattern Variations in Eastern Garter Snakes
Replies: 43
Views: 24638

Re: Color and Pattern Variations in Eastern Garter Snakes

That is one of the best pictures ever posted on this site. Fantastic.
by John Williams
July 10th, 2014, 4:11 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: RFI - Costa Rica advice
Replies: 10
Views: 3413

Re: RFI - Costa Rica advice

Hey Chris- Haven't looked at the distance from where you'll be staying but I worked at Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve for a few weeks years ago and there were at least 2 pairs of Quetzals we saw routinely off some of the trails. This was in June/July; I'm not sure when they change elevations. That ...
by John Williams
June 17th, 2014, 6:54 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: New Wetlands Preserve on Corpus Christi - Oso Bay
Replies: 7
Views: 3433

Re: New Wetlands Preserve on Corpus Christi - Oso Bay

Thanks for the post. That could be an interesting site. I haven't looked into it at all. Is it reclaimed, natural, etc? What are the chances of Nerodia clarkii and Malaclemys being on site? It'd be great to have the later down there protected,
by John Williams
May 12th, 2014, 7:30 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Not a bad day at all.
Replies: 3
Views: 1445

Re: Not a bad day at all.

Great day. I think those Pituophis are the most attractive of any of the races/species.
by John Williams
May 5th, 2014, 6:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: And the curse was lifted
Replies: 6
Views: 2731

Re: And the curse was lifted

Congrats Shane. That's a great way to find a hard earned target. I believe that same snake is at the top of my list for hours spent specifically targeting them with no success. Even at their most famous (or infamous) Texas locale. Maybe a tie with vernalis. Great photos as well. Also some neat plant...
by John Williams
May 2nd, 2014, 8:34 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: April as I Saw It (Same as CA Forum Post)
Replies: 6
Views: 2407

Re: April as I Saw It (Same as CA Forum Post)

Fantastic. Great Trilium shot.
by John Williams
April 10th, 2014, 7:16 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: I actually did some herping! - Central Texas
Replies: 10
Views: 4436

Re: I actually did some herping! - Central Texas

Excellent stuff Chris. That's a trip I've told myself I would take the last three springs and have backed out each time, including this year. I had to grab my Dixon book and check the cottonmouth range. Neat find!
by John Williams
February 8th, 2014, 7:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Turtle Photos - Wanted
Replies: 12
Views: 3822

Re: Turtle Photos - Wanted

Here's some posed spiny softshell shots

Image

Image

young
Image
by John Williams
February 5th, 2014, 6:23 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Chapter field trips
Replies: 40
Views: 14009

Re: Chapter field trips

Very cool. I was just curious; thanks for answering my question.
by John Williams
February 4th, 2014, 7:00 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Chapter field trips
Replies: 40
Views: 14009

Re: Chapter field trips

What is the reasoning for getting a collecting permit for a Cemophora?
by John Williams
February 4th, 2014, 6:56 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Top 20 photos / subjects of 2013
Replies: 18
Views: 7543

Re: Top 20 photos / subjects of 2013

Great photos of some great subjects Matt!

That getula is really interesting looking, especially the facial pattern.
by John Williams
January 30th, 2014, 7:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mexican White-lipped Frogs in Texas
Replies: 6
Views: 1971

Re: Mexican White-lipped Frogs in Texas

Yep. We couldn't locate any.
by John Williams
January 29th, 2014, 8:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mexican White-lipped Frogs in Texas
Replies: 6
Views: 1971

Re: Mexican White-lipped Frogs in Texas

Looked back at my notes and it was actually 2008.
by John Williams
January 29th, 2014, 6:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mexican White-lipped Frogs in Texas
Replies: 6
Views: 1971

Re: Mexican White-lipped Frogs in Texas

They are still around. Another forum member and I found a decent chorus (10+ calling males) in 2010. He took a recording but I'm not sure he still has it.
by John Williams
January 1st, 2014, 4:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: TPWD seeks public comment on gassing issue
Replies: 3
Views: 2017

Re: TPWD seeks public comment on gassing issue

Thanks for the link Andy. It all seems very cut and dry to me, with good science to back up the new laws.
by John Williams
January 1st, 2014, 4:11 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Hot Stove Herping: 2013 EOY post
Replies: 41
Views: 26983

Re: Hot Stove Herping: 2013 EOY post

Great post and looks like a stellar year to me. Much too many things to comment on but the new Pristimantis was extra cool. Loved the Baja stuff as well and that little garter sure is pretty. You should make another Texas trip.

John
by John Williams
December 21st, 2013, 6:53 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Texas joins the 20th century (no, not the 21st yet)....
Replies: 2
Views: 1677

Re: Texas joins the 20th century (no, not the 21st yet)....

Well I'd say judging by the enforcing agencies previous actions on laws associated with herps not a lot will be done and they will look the other way (i.e. roadcruising laws, pursuing people in new stories celebrating killing two state-threatened horridus, etc.). But it does sound nice.
by John Williams
November 28th, 2013, 6:24 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Our species list for the year so far - 153 and counting
Replies: 49
Views: 16922

Re: Our species list for the year so far - 153 and counting

I was surprised to find areolata on several roads in that area that I'd been on numerous times before. looks to be healthy populations in that area and other counties around there. I have a couple versa records from La Grange and Columbus from this summer I'll add. Go get our indigo and salvadora re...
by John Williams
November 24th, 2013, 11:49 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Our species list for the year so far - 153 and counting
Replies: 49
Views: 16922

Re: Our species list for the year so far - 148 and counting

Hey Chris-

I just added 10 or so records to the database that will hopefully up the yearly species total.
by John Williams
November 14th, 2013, 7:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread
Replies: 36
Views: 14032

Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Great stuff. Troy- you didn't raise the Smith County tiger by any chance did you? Interested to see what the east Texas specimens look like. Matt pretty much covered the Texas Ambystoma, but here's a pretty texanum http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8504/8335362785_f0e92b1bfe_z.jpg And one feeding on an ...
by John Williams
October 10th, 2013, 7:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Austin monitor
Replies: 7
Views: 2624

Re: Austin monitor

I used to have that exact same fake monitor. The skin felt real.
by John Williams
September 5th, 2013, 6:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Cane toads in Texas
Replies: 12
Views: 4543

Re: Cane toads in Texas

As others have said, they can be relatively common on back roads in the valley, although most you see are DOR these days. They can also be found in urban areas like backyards, hotel parking lots, etc. Their call is one of the coolest in the states! I've always wondered where they go and how they get...
by John Williams
August 12th, 2013, 7:05 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: summer herps 2013 (same as SE chapter post)
Replies: 15
Views: 4241

Re: summer herps 2013 (same as SE chapter post)

Those Alabama garters are fantastic! Great post.
by John Williams
August 12th, 2013, 7:05 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: summer herps 2013 (same as SE chapter post)
Replies: 15
Views: 4241

Re: summer herps 2013 (same as SE chapter post)

Those Alabama garters are fantastic! Great post.
by John Williams
June 8th, 2013, 6:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Green Sea Turtles FYI (Houston-area herpers)
Replies: 3
Views: 1591

Re: Green Sea Turtles FYI (Houston-area herpers)

Thanks for the tip Shane. It's always fun to see sea turtles in the wild!
by John Williams
May 28th, 2013, 6:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping the Big Sky.
Replies: 33
Views: 12635

Re: Herping the Big Sky.

Ditto, great stuff. Montana might have the finest looking bullsnakes in the states. Maybe viridis too.
by John Williams
May 16th, 2013, 7:56 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Islands of Bimini
Replies: 23
Views: 11389

Re: The Islands of Bimini

Amazing post. Great photos!
by John Williams
May 9th, 2013, 7:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Montana Tailed Frog.
Replies: 19
Views: 5291

Re: Montana Tailed Frog.

Very cool Dell. Go back and get some salamanders!
by John Williams
May 6th, 2013, 6:53 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Moccasin! (same as SC Chapter)
Replies: 24
Views: 5117

Re: Moccasin! (same as SC Chapter)

Wow, great find!
by John Williams
May 3rd, 2013, 9:18 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Copperhead morphs
Replies: 18
Views: 10267

Re: Copperhead morphs

What Chris said.

Image
by John Williams
May 3rd, 2013, 9:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring in south Arkansas...
Replies: 6
Views: 4313

Re: Spring in south Arkansas...

Very cool post. I've wanted to see more photos (or find myself) of intergrade blackXbuttermilk racers from north Texas/Louisiana or Arkansas for a long time. It'd be neat to see a snake with >30% spots on a solid black background. SEems like there are plenty of photographed examples of yellow-bellie...
by John Williams
March 12th, 2013, 6:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: In Memorium- Hobart M. Smith
Replies: 4
Views: 1620

Re: In Memorium- Hobart M. Smith

Thanks for the post Dan.